Monday, June 27, 2011

Congratulations to Dario Ojeda (pictured here) for boosting a 36.28ft jump and taking home 3,500 Euros cash for highest air in RedBull Rockets!

Spectators flocked to the shores of Las Salinas de Pozo to watch as 16 windsurfers set out to defy the laws of gravity for biggest air, best trick, and hardest wipeout. Split into two groups and equipped motion tracking devices provided by EpicSessions.tv, the riders hit the water for three different sessions throughout the day. On 5.0s and 5.4s the riders put on an incredible show, launching dry double forwards, tweaked pushloops, lofty backs, one-footed one-handed forwards, and more in 15-25mph of wind.

In the end, it was Ojeda who lined up the ramp, sheeted in and boosted an impressive 36.28ft jump to claim highest air of the day. Close on his heels was Ricardo Campello, Philip Koester and John Skye. Philip proved his incredible ability for aerial acrobatics by stomping a high, fast, clean double usually only seen in much stronger winds to take home Best Trick. No surprise was crazy aerial talent Ricardo Campello, going for broke, literally breaking his board, to take home best wipeout. (note - the riders in the last (black) heat were treated to the best wind and wave conditions and benefited as a result)

Props to all the riders who went out and put on one hell of a show, and the sponsors RedBull, Cutre Boardshop, Ayuntamiento Santa Lucia, Asociacion Espanola Funboard for supporting this new era of free-form competition for action sports!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Red Bull Rockets is cleared for take off in Pozo! The winds are blasting, the waves are jacking up nicely and everyone is stoked to get it on today!

Some details are still being worked on - namely live video. Even if we're unable to get the interwebs working here on the dark side of the moon, you'll be seeing video from us and Red Bull Media in short order regardless.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Windsurfing's craziest jumpers and the EpicSessions.tv crew are headed to Gran Canaria at the end of the week. They're gonna boost, we're going to measure how high. On the best day between June 24- 30, the rider with the highest stock air, best trick, and epic wipeout will win cash. Get ready for RedBull Rockets!

Often times the best conditions are in the most remote of locations. Developing innovative ways to make it easier for people to see and appreciate the raw talent of athletes, regardless of location, is what we’re about at EpicSessions. A few years back we were the first to live-stream action from Jaws, Hookipa and the Gorge. Now almost every major surf event in the world is live-streamed. Today we have the ability to track riders in 3D live. When a rider boosts during RedBull Rockets, their jump heights will be immediately broadcasted to the judges as a factor for best trick, to spectators at the beach, and to the web for anyone, anywhere to check in on the action.

The extended forecast for Pozo looks sick. The tech is tested and ready to go. The riders are ready, the format set, and 10,000 euros are up for grabs. Check the EpicSessions.tv facebook page and website for updates as we get ready for the big event!

Each group gets 20 minutes on the water per session, with a 10-minute transition in between.In order for a jump to count the rider must still be in control of their rig when they hit the water. A mid-air bailout will not count. However, if the rider lands soaked, but is able to keep the sail somewhat up and quickly sail away, the jump will count.

Highest Air will go to the rider who lands the biggest jump of the day, measured with realtime 3D motion tracking technology provided by EpicSessions. 3,500 euros

Best Trick will go to the rider whose tweak and style at maximum amplitude leaves the best impression with the panel of judges at the end of the day. 1st - 3,000 euros. 2nd - 2,000 euros and 3rd will take home 1,000 euros

Best Wipeout will go to the guy who eats it the hardest going big and tweaking it just beyond the point of control, as decided by the panel of judges. 500 euros

The final preps for the Red Bull Rockets contest are coming together and in 48 hours the EpicSessons.tv team will jet over to Pozo where we'll commence the 7 day holding period for the contest. The location for the event is just around the corner from the beach that the PWA wave event is held at and this location was chosen to maximize the wave/wind angle to enable the competitors to get the highest jumps possible. Its a little off the beaten path from town, so infrastructure is being installed - scaffolding, stage, PA system, helicopter landing pad, etc.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Pozo. Just the thought conjures up images of nuclear winds, out of control crashes, mind blowing jumps and arial antics.

The EpicSessions.tv crew is totally stoked to be headed to the Canary Islands - Pozo to provide Red Bull with our 3D motion recording/broadcast system to track 16 of the best Spanish national and international riders as they compete for the highest jump, best trick and best wipeout.Red Bull "Rockets" is a winner take all Jump Off style event being held from June 24-30 ; right at the new moon, to measure just how insane the world's best sailors can push the limits in the best that Pozo can dish up. We've all seen the videos, now its time to find out just how massive those boosts are!